How many times do you pick up a pen during the course of your working day without a second thought? If you’re like the millions of people in the workforce, you probably have a pen in your hand right now. Even in this age of technology and digital devices, we still need to use pens many times a day.

So what is considered to be a good pen? For the main part it is delivering a nice flow of ink. After all, there is nothing worse than having a pen fail on you in the middle of your writing. You then need to scramble in your pen stand looking for one in the same ink color, and hopefully one that also writes smoothly.

Before you rush out and buy yourself some new pens, have a look at our selection of the best pens for work so you can get back to writing flawlessly again.

The Best Pen For Work

1

Uni-Ball Jetstream Retractable Ball Point Pen For Work

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This set of 3 pens writes incredibly smoothly for when you need to get the job done fast. Write clean and sharp without smudging thanks to the quick drying ink that makes this the perfect pen for left handers. Uni-Ball Jetstream Retractable Ball Point Pen is the best ballpoint pen for those that just need something simple and effective for writing at work.

Key Features:

Delivers fast, clean writing

Quick-drying ink helps minimize smudging for left handers

Embossed grip and stainless steel accents make a stylish statement

Super Ink that protects against water, fading, and fraud

Specification:

BrandUni-Ball

Model70877

Weight0.64 ounces

2

Pilot G2 Retractable Premium Gel Ink Roller Ball Pen For Work

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You’ll be able to get really creative with your work with these Pilot G2 Retractable Premium Gel Ink Roller Ball Pens. The range of colors means you can highlight special parts of your projects or give them a little touch of your own personal flare. Colors aside, these gel pens offer smooth ink flow and extra comfortable grip for flawless writing. These pens are perfect for work, but you may want to buy them in multi-packs because everyone will want one.

Key Features:

Perfect for school, work, in the office, or any other writing needs

Retractable Premium Gel Pens are comfortable and flow smoothly

Extra comfortable grip & smooth gliding ink.

Great range of colors for all your projects

Choose from single or multi-packs

Specification:

BrandPilot

Model31020

Weight5 ounces

3

Parker Jotter Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen For Work

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Parker have been making luxury pens for over a century and they are still a well-known brand for those that love good pens for work. Parker Jotter Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen is made from stainless steel with a chrome trim so it will last you for many years. Its simple yet elegant design is timeless and perfect for creating a professional image. These pens are refillable and come in a classic Parker gift box.

Key Features:

Stainless steel barrel with chrome trim

Two-ball design reduces friction during writing

Clip with iconic arrowhead design

Accepts Parker gel refills

Presented in a Parker gift box

Specification:

BrandParker

Model1333211

Weight0.48 ounces

4

Fisher Space Pen Bullet Chrome Finish

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The best writing pens for work should be able to write in any position or from any angle and that includes upside down. This Fisher Space Pen Bullet with Chrome Finish is functional and stylish. It can write in extreme temperatures and comes in a stunning array of colors. It also comes gift boxed so get one to give as a gift, and one for yourself.

Key Features:

Writes at any angle, even in Zero Gravity

Incredibly versatile pen

Writes in extreme temperatures from -30F to 250F

All Brass and steel construction

Gift Boxed

Specification:

BrandFisher

Model400

Weight0.96 ounces

5

IDEAPOOL Luxury Rosewood Ballpoint Pen Writing Set

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If you’re ever stuck for a gift for the writer in your circle or a work colleague, you’ll never go wrong with a luxury Rosewood Ballpoint Pen Writing Set from Idealpool. This pen is perfect for executives and the natural, handcrafted antique wood makes a luxury and stylish pen for professionals who want to look the part.

Key Features:

Natural handcrafted antique wooden pen

Luxury, stylish and elegant gift

Extra stainless steel black ink refill

Gift boxed

Specification:

BrandIDEAPOOL

ModelSG_B01KRDMYQW_US

Weight2.72 ounces

6

Pilot Precise V5RT Retractable Roller Ball Pen

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Pilot makes some of the best rollerball pens and you’ll never tire of writing with this great pen. They are perfect for writing at the office or at school and you can see how much ink is left so you won’t be caught unawares halfway through your work. Pilot Precise V5RT Retractable Roller Ball Pen features a premium metal clip which is useful when you’re out in the field and the precision tip is ideal for those that like to write in fine detail. Choose from a variety of colors that will make it easy to highlight any parts of your projects.

Key Features:

Perfect rollerball pen for office or school

Visible ink supply so you won’t run out of ink unexpectedly

Premium metal clip and precision tip

Striking new color options

Available in single or multipacks

Specification:

BrandPilot

Model26062

Weight5.1 ounces

7

Muji Gel Ink Ball Point Pen

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Sometimes you just want to purchase a box of pens so you’ll always have one on hand when you need it. These Muji Gel Ink Ball Point pens feature a fine 0.38mm tip for fine, accurate writing and the gel ink makes it easy and smooth for the words to glide across the pages. The multipacks ensure you’ll be writing without pausing making these pens perfect for the office worker or the scholar.

Key Features:

Long lasting ink

Gel ink for smooth writing

0.38mm tip

Black Color

Specification:

BrandMuji

ModelSG_B00E391XXM_US

Weight5.6 ounces

8

If you’ve got an extra challenging outdoor type of job, you need a rugged pen that will offer you flawless writing and can be used in self-defense situations. Smith & Wesson 6.1in Aircraft Aluminum Refillable Tactical Pull Cap Pen has a convenient pocket clip with a pull off top so you can safely conceal it in your shirt pocket, ready for action. It is made from T6061 Aircraft Aluminum and is refillable so you’ll have it by your side for years.

Key Features:

Made from reliable T6061 Aircraft Aluminum

Convenient pocket clip and pull-off top

A great pen that can be used for self-defense

Can use Schmidt P900M Parker Style Black Ball Point Cartridges as refills

Smith & Wesson quality

Specification:

BrandSmith & Wesson

ModelSWPENMPBK

Weight1.44 ounces

9

Pentel BK90A R.S.V.P. Stick Ballpoint Pen

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The makers of Pentel pens pay a lot of attention to creating pens that write almost endlessly. These good quality pens offer a comfortable grip so you’ll avoid writer’s cramp and the transparent barrel allows you to see how much ink you have left. There is a variety of colors to choose from, making them perfect for home, school or office and Pentel BK90A R.S.V.P. Stick Ballpoint Pen is also refillable for extra convenience.

Key Features:

Writes for almost a mile

Sturdy, well-balanced, transparent barrel for smooth writing

Latex-free Comfort Zone grip

Refillable

Variety of colors to choose from

Specification:

BrandPentel

ModelPENBK90A

Weight4 ounces

10

Montblanc 2 Rollerball LeGrand Refills In Pacific Blue 105165

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If you already have an excellent Montblanc rollerball pen, you’ll eventually need a good quality refill. The ink in these refills flows smoothly and effortlessly with high performance ink that makes even the poorest handwriting look good. Montblanc 2 Rollerball LeGrand Refills in Pacific Blue 105165 are long lasting so you can keep writing without pause for a professional page of writing.

Key Features:

Ink flows smoothly

Long lasting refills

High performance

Specification:

BrandMontblanc

Model105165

Weight0.32 ounces

11

Cross Edge Capless Gel Ink Pen

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With this Cross Edge Capless pen you have a gel ink or ballpoint pen simply by changing the cartridge. The pen itself is great for use in workshops our out in the field and the sturdy design makes it great for use even in rough hands. Most importantly, this pen writes smoothly and looks great. It comes gift boxed so you won’t need to look further for the perfect gift for friends or colleagues.

Key Features:

Capless gel ink pen technology.

Versatile pen accepts both gel and jumbo ballpoint refills.

Features a patented click-and-slide mechanism.

Encased in stylish metallic fusion resin.

Specification:

BrandCross

ModelAT0555-2

Weight5.57 pounds

12

Sakura Pigma 30061 Micron Blister Card Ink Pen Set

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Sakura Pigma offer these smooth writing pens in different nib sizes for any writing or drawing project you need done. With Sakura Pigma 30061 Micron Blister Card Ink Pen Set, you can write smooth, skip-free and flawless pages of work without any clogging or worrying about the pen drying out. The waterproof ink dries quickly so you can deliver smudge free work. No matter what type of work you do, Sakura Pigma has the right pen for the job.

Key Features:

Pigma micron blister card ink pen

Smooth, skip-free writing

Different nib sizes for precise lines

Pen doesn’t clog or dry out

Waterproof ink dries quickly

Specification:

BrandSakura

Model30061

Weight1.44 ounces

13

Tombow 62038 Fudenosuke Brush Pen

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Tombow 62038 Fudenosuke Brush Pen is perfect for artistic writers and for those who draw for a living. You’ll produce calligraphy lettering that will look impressive every time and you’ll find these pens perfect for artistic projects of every kind. Use these pens for business or pleasure and you’ll get a perfect result no matter what you choose to use them for.

Key Features:

Contains both soft and hard tip Fudenosuke Brush Pens

Flexible brush tip for different lettering and drawing techniques

Great for calligraphy and art drawings

Water-based, pigmented black ink

Specification:

BrandTombow

Model62038

Weight0.64 ounces

14

Zebra Pen 46871 Sarasa Retractable Gel Ink Pen

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This pack of Zebra Sarasa Retractable Gel Ink Pens are among the best pens for writing you’ll ever use. They are perfect in any writing situation from taking notes, to signing contracts or keeping a journal. You can also write confidently on any type of paper for perfect penmanship every time you write. The soft, latex-free rubber grip fits comfortably in your hands and the fast drying ink means smudge free results, even for lefties.

Key Features:

Fast drying Rapid Ink Technology

Smooth gel ink

Soft, latex-free rubberized grip enables a comfortable writing

Retractable gel pen, with convenient pocket clip

Ideal to use in any writing situation and paper type

Specification:

BrandZebra Pen

Model46871

Weight1.6 ounces

15

Cross Classic Century Lustrous Chrome Ballpoint Pen

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Possibly the best pen in the world, this one from Cross looks fantastic and performs exceptionally well. Cross Classic Century Lustrous Chrome Ballpoint Pen is the perfect pen for executives and other professionals and the smooth, consistent ink flow ensures everything from signing contracts to adding notes to memos will look smooth and without skips in the writing. The chrome accents look stylish and will give you a professional edge in the board room. The conical tip makes it easy to take with you in your pocket so you’ll have this pen within easy reach at all times throughout your busy day.

Key Features:

Ball point pen with chrome accents

Smooth, consistent ink flow

Patented propel-repel ball pen mechanism

Trademark conical tip

Available in ballpoint, fountain pen or rollerball

Specification:

BrandCross

Model3502

Weight1 pound

Pen For Work Buying Guide & FAQ

Features To Look For In Pen For Work

Type Оf Pen – The type of pen you need will depend on what you intend to use it for. If fancy writing, or calligraphy is what you mainly use a pen for, you can choose anything from a felt tip pen of different widths or a fountain pen. When it comes to architecture and design, thinner tips are probably more suitable. Of course, it also depends on personal preference so choose what works best for you.

Comfort – You may not consider comfort as an important feature in a pen, but you really should. If you only use a pen to sign off on contracts or memos, then any pen will do, but if you find yourself writing for hours on end, a comfortable pen is a necessity. Look for one with a nice, comfortable grip that fits nicely in your hands. Quality pens have soft grip pads that will make the pen easy to hold and write with for extended periods of busy writing or sketching.

Shape – Do you prefer a conical shaped pen or something triangular? The shape of the pen also plays a role in the overall comfort of the pen. Some are thin and cylindrical while others have a thicker barrel for larger hands. The purpose of your writing should also be considered when looking at the shape of the pen.

Weight – Professional pens are usually crafted using platinum, chrome or stainless steel. Some are also a combination of wood and metal. These pens will naturally have a little nit of weight to them and are stylish and functional for use in professional settings such as board meetings and signing contracts. One thing you should consider though is that if you work in a situation that requires you to write for several hours at a time, then you may need to consider looking for pens with a little less weight.

Ink Flow – How your work pen delivers ink to the paper is important if you want a nice, smooth result. You want the ink flow to be smooth and skip free, without the possibility of the ink blotching on the paper. The ink flow needs to be nicely distributed as you write for an even finish.

Line Quality – Some people absolutely love a pen that produces elegant, thin lines. Others prefer a more sturdy looking line when they write. The quality, however, needs to be even, without gaps in the lines. The consistency of the lines is important, particularly when it comes to a professional or business setting. A fine writing pen should deliver impeccable handwritten notes that will look stylish and professional every time.

Price – If you go through a lot of pens, you want something reliable that doesn’t cost too much. That’s where budget pens in multipacks are a great choice. However, if you are an executive, you may want your pen to reflect that so you’ll want a pen that is made from high quality materials that do cost a little more. The prices of pens in our selection are suitable for many different situations but keep in mind that if you have a tendency to frequently misplace your pens, then go for the lower end of the price range.

Types Of Pens For Work:

Rollerball Pen – Rollerball pens are very similar to ballpoint pens in that the tip of the pen uses a ball to distribute the ink along the paper. However, rollerball pens tend to use water based ink that saturates into the paper more effectively than ballpoint pens. The ink flow is usually pretty smooth and requires very little pressure making them very comfortable for use, particularly over a longer period of time. They are great for writing texts with thicker or thinner lines.

Ballpoint Pen – These pens are the most common types of pens and everyone will have used one quite frequently. The ink in ballpoint pens is oil based and fast drying so you are less likely to need to deal with smudges. The ink is often thicker so it is prone to clumping and you may end up with some blotches on your paper if you apply too much pressure. These are a great, simple every day pen for many different applications.